How far is Minneapolis, MN from Buffalo, MN?

The driving distance from Minneapolis, MN to Buffalo, MN is about 36.2 miles (58.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 54m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 32.6 miles (52.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 49m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
36.24 mi
00h 54m
Flight
32.62 mi
52.5 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Minneapolis.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
32.62 mi
Kilometers
52.5 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
36.24 mi
Kilometers
58.32 km
Drive Time
00h 54m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 00h 54m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Buffalo
Thu, Apr 23, 11:30 AM CDT
Return by in Minneapolis
Thu, Apr 23, 12:25 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Minneapolis
2026-04-23T10:35
Arrive Buffalo
Thu, Apr 23, 11:30 AM CDT
Route Timing
00h 54m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:55 AM to 10:55 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:40 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Minneapolis
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Medina
MN

City in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States

From Minneapolis
18.1 mi
00h 27m
To Buffalo
18.1 mi
00h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph S
Destination
75°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Minneapolis and Buffalo.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Minneapolis and Buffalo.

  1. 1

    Start on Washington Avenue South

    1977 ft · 1 min · Washington Avenue South

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North 1st Avenue

    130 m · 18 sec · North 1st Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North 3rd Street

    127 m · 16 sec · North 3rd Street

  4. 4

    Turn straight

    3.3 mi · 4 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 100 South, MN 100 North: Park Place-Xenia

    837 ft · 12 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on MN 100 North

    2678 ft · 1 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    2766 ft · 39 sec

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 55 West, MN 55 East

    867 ft · 21 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on MN 55 West

    723 ft · 18 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight right onto Olson Memorial Highway

    25.6 mi · 38 min · Olson Memorial Highway

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    3.9 mi · 5 min

  12. 12

    Continue straight

    3151 ft · 1 min

  13. 13

    Turn left onto 2nd Street South

    1798 ft · 51 sec · 2nd Street South

  14. 14

    Continue on 1st Street South

    2251 ft · 1 min · 1st Street South

  15. 15

    Turn right onto 1st Avenue South

    107 m · 10 sec · 1st Avenue South

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 1st Avenue South

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Minneapolis and Buffalo.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
16 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
44.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Olson Memorial Highway
30.1 mi · 83%
MN 100 North
1.03 mi · 3%
1st Street South
0.43 mi · 1%
Washington Avenue South
0.37 mi · 1%
2nd Street South
0.34 mi · 1%
MN 55 West
0.3 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Olson Memorial Highway

Merge slight right onto Olson Memorial Highway

25.6 mi · 00h 38m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
00h 54m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+3.6 mi
32.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Medina
00h 27m from Minneapolis
Leave By
4:40 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Minneapolis and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Buffalo.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Minneapolis to Buffalo?

The road trip is about 36.2 miles (58.3 km) and usually takes 00h 54m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Medina is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18.1 miles from Minneapolis and 18.1 miles from Buffalo.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 32.6 miles (52.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:40 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.57 one way or $9.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Minneapolis and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Buffalo.

Stop Ideas Near Medina

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Medina, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Medina.

RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

32 mi away
Midway Station
RAIL

St. Cloud

74 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Red Wing station

97 mi away
420 Levee Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Minneapolis and Buffalo. Straight-line distance: 32.62 mi (52.5 km).

Minneapolis

#1 Minneapolis

The largest city in Minnesota, Minneapolis is a major center for business, finance, and culture.

Population433,111
Coordinates44.9799700, -93.2638400
Altitude253
CountryUnited States
Buffalo

#2 Buffalo

City in Wright County, Minnesota, US

Population1,898
Coordinates45.1719100, -93.8746900
Altitude283
CountryUnited States
Start: Minneapolis (-93.26384, 44.97997)
End: Buffalo (-93.87469, 45.17191)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 58 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 12m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 54m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 43m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 36m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 31m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 27m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.28 gal
4.84 L · about $4.57
Round trip
$9.14
2.56 gal · 9.68 L
Estimated CO2
11.4 kg one way
Round trip: 22.8 kg / 50 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $4.57 $9.14
Mid-grade $3.92 $5.02 $10.04
Premium $4.39 $5.62 $11.24
Diesel $4.86 $6.23 $12.45

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Minnesota · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Minneapolis and Buffalo. The current time is 10:35:50.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.